| |
Broken plans 49ers looking for help in case Hearst can't play
Posted: Friday July 09, 1999 01:26 AM
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Amid growing concern about Garrison Hearst's chance of returning from a serious ankle injury, the San Francisco 49ers met with three free agent running backs Thursday -- but saved their strongest praise for controversial tailback Lawrence Phillips. Hearst, a former University of Georgia star who rushed for a team-record 1,570 yards last season, fractured his ankle on the first play of the 49ers' playoff loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The 49ers had expected him to return for the start of this season, but that now is questionable. "He has a bone in his ankle that isn't getting the right blood supply. And that bone is slowly, but surely, dying," 49ers general manager Bill Walsh said. "You can't put a man on the field in that situation." Hearst, signed as a free agent in 1997, was third in the NFL in rushing last season and scored seven touchdowns. He set a team rushing record of 198 yards against the Detroit Lions. Walsh said the 49ers won't know the prognosis on Hearst until the running back gets additional tests and is examined by other doctors. "Is it treatable? I don't know," Walsh said. "The doctors will have to determine that." If Hearst cannot play, the 49ers might focus on Phillips, who has been dropped by the St. Louis Rams and Miami Dolphins and whose off-field problems have included domestic violence and drunken driving. Phillips met with the 49ers Wednesday. Phillips spent the past few months with the Barcelona Dragons. He was NFL Europe's offensive player of the year after becoming the first player in the developmental league to rush for 1,000 yards in 10 games. He also scored 14 touchdowns. Though the 49ers also are looking at free agents Terry Allen, Charlie Garner and Harvey Williams, Walsh said Phillips -- who is expected to talk with several other clubs -- could best step in as a starter in place of Hearst. Walsh acknowledged he was very critical of the Rams for drafting Phillips sixth overall in 1996, but said the troubled tailback has changed. "He has to be a possibility, though I've been highly critical of his behavior in the past," Walsh said. "We know lurking there has been some violence and that is not pleasant. We have to decide whether to take on that risk." Walsh, who said Phillips has a "disarming, pleasant personality," said the 49ers have spoken with Rams coach Dick Vermeil, other former Phillips coaches and NFL officials about the running back. "He did very well in Europe, not only on the field but off the field," Walsh said. "His behavior and his demeanor have been excellent." Garner and Williams worked out for the 49ers, while Allen talked with team officials at the club's Santa Clara headquarters. Allen, released by Washington in April, set a Redskins' single-season rushing record of 1,353 yards in 1996 but has been limited by injuries since. Allen, who also has visited the Kansas City Chiefs and plans to talk with New England, said there was no reason to work out for the 49ers. "If I go out and blow an ankle here and have to work out for someone else, what good does that do me?" Allen said. "Anyone can look good running through cones." Williams ran for 1,114 yards for the Oakland Raiders in 1995 but has been shifted to tight end and fullback in the past two seasons. He plans to work out for New England Saturday. Garner, who spent the past five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, also expects to speak with Tennessee and Oakland.
| |||||||||||||||||
Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. Terms under which this service is provided to you.
| |||||||||||||||||
